ΑΡΓΟΣ - The Ancient Theatre

The most impressive ancient monument in the city of Argos is the large theatre. It was founded in about 300BC on the south-eastern slopes of Larissa Hill, right next to the city’s Agora, which extends to the east. A contemporary of the renowned theatre of Epidaurus, it is regarded as one of the most monumental theatres in Greece with a capacity of up to 20,000 spectators.
This space played host to the dramatic and musical festivals of the Nemeans when they migrated to Argos, as well as games to honour the patron goddess, Hera, while during the Roman occupation there were games established to honour the Roman emperors.
The auditorium was hollowed out of the rock and faces towards the Agora. It consists of 89 rows of seats, separated horizontally into four parts by three aisles, called diazomata. Five sets of steps radiate out crisscrossing the hollow and dividing it into four sections, the kerkides. The central sections of these are carved out of the rock, while those at the sides are stone constructions fixed on mounds of earth. The first row of seats, the presidium, was for official guests. Strong elevated walls hold up the banks of the auditorium.
The theatre’s orchestra, which was circular with a diameter or 26,68m, was surrounded by a drain to remove surface water. It was accessed by the ‘parodes’: passageways to the north and south.
Two ramps led to the stage. In front of them were the wings which opened towards the orchestra with 20 columns on their exterior. An underground passageway, Charon’s staircase, was used for Charon’s transition from the mysterious depths into life. Behind the stage construction was a Doric gallery which faced to the east.
Between around 100-150BC the theatre was rebuilt following the Roman prototype. The stage was enlarged both in length and in depth and gained a monumental scaenae frons with three entrances. The new pulpitum covered the eastern section of the orchestra and was lengthened up to the parodes. The front of it was ornamented with alcoves and at its edges the wings were created which connected with the platform of the pulpitum.
The gladiatorial and animal fights which were imported during the Roman era as new contests caused there to be alterations to the theatre space, like a high wall all around the orchestra for the protection of spectators, and a new platform to the north of the central staircase for the presidium. The auditorium was also fitted with a canopy to protect spectators from the sun during the long spectaculars.
In the 4th century AD a tank was constructed for water sports, which was fed by an aqueduct.
The theatre closed in the 6th century AD, but a large section of the auditorium remained visible and was described/drawn by many of the travellers who visited Argos during the 18th and 19th centuries.
It was on these seats in 1829 that the 4th National Council of the newly-formed Greek state met.
Excavations begun by the French Archaeological School in 1950 brought Argos’ most important monument back into the light of day.